SC bans fishing in monsoon New Delhi

SC bans fishing in monsoon New Delhi
The Supreme Court has issued notice to the Centre on a petition seeking a ban on operation of mechanised boats across the western coast.

The court said that fishing during monsoons seriously disturb breeding of fishes and severely hit the livelihood of fishermen during the rest of the year.

A Bench of Justice Y K Sabharwal and Justice C K Thakker also issued notices to the west coast States of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Kerala and Goa.

The move followed a writ petition filed by an NGO – Goa Environment Federation – seeking a uniform ban on fishing by mechanised boats and trawlers from June 10 to August 15 every year.

NGO’s advocate Sanjay Parikh took the arguments to the level of fundamental right to life.

He said that the reduction of fish catch due to mechanised operation during breeding season was in violation of the right to life and livelihood of fishermen under Article 21 of the Constitution as well as disturbance of the marine eco-system. (PTI)